This blog is mainly about the spectacular train wreck at The Sacramento Bee and its parent company, the McClatchy Company. But I also post about current events, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, politics, anything else that grabs my attention. Take a look around this blog, hope you enjoy it.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Advice for laid off McClatchy employees

Laid-off? Here's some advice passed on by email:

"... departees at all papers should request, require, and re-check their last paystub especially with regard to deductions for benefits coverage, non-used PTO or vacation pay, all insurances, and parking fees. Don’t pay for what you don’t get. History will repeat itself."

"... do everything you need to do on the computer system -- print out contacts, calendars, copies of stories, etc. a day in advance. I was locked out of the system as I walked out the door on my last day and all of my information was purged instantly..."

22 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Pick up your COBRA forms now and update your contact info. I think there's some period of time before you have the exorbitant cost, like 90 days, and still be covered retroactively. For example, if you need the coverage - your 7-year-old breaks her arm 87 days after you leave - you can pay on day 90 and have retroactive coverage. BUT PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT. It might have all changed since I left, a day I am still rejoicing.

You might want to adopt a humble attitude right away, instead of six weeks from now. You probably disagree with a lot of the politics posted in this blog, but it's a better representation of your region than what you heard in the politically correct echo chamber known as The Bee. It takes time to adjust your ears to the outside world. You'll find that many people feel wronged and betrayed by The Bee's coverage over the years.

Not all of you are going to be able to find a Democratic politician to employ you, so you'll need to look for jobs in places that employ - gasp! - Republicans, Libertarians and other conservatives and independents. Be polite and respectful of other viewpoints out here.

I am a McClatchy ex-employee that volunteered in the July '08 buyouts. Best thing that I have ever done. But do double check everything: severance check is taxed like a bonus and is issued seperate from "last" check of which all deductions were taken out (including parking) so another check had to be issued for that...and all of those checks went to our local Bank of America where I paid $15 to have the funds guaranteed and then took that to my bank (was to scared check would not clear)....but again NO REGRETS...best thing I have ever done.

Also do everthing you need to do on the computer system -- print out contacts, calendars, copies of stories, etc. a day in advance. I was locked out of the system as I walked out the door on my last day and all of my information was purged instantly -- although my editor requested that I pass on my contacts and research to the person who replaced me before I turned in my badge. A day later security wouldn't let me in the building even to go to the credit union -- and that was after working there 29 years.

The new government subsidy will change COBRA administration. Supposedly all who were involuntarily separated through last September will be eligible retroactively, plus the new batch of layoffs of course. The feds should announce in a couple of weeks whether voluntaries who were part of a mandatory staff reduction also qualify. So expect changes and lack of clarity about COBRA. Don't blame MNI for this, the government doesn't even know what it is doing yet. HR is watching the situation closely in order to get updated info to employees pronto.

From what I hear, it looks like the KC Star will be announcing their layoffs on Friday, March 13 or Monday the 16th. And I heard that the total amount of layoffs this round will be equal to the total number of layoffs that were done in all of 2008. By my calculation, this round of layoffs will be at least 170. No word on buyout offerings, but employees were told that furloughs will not be happening. No word on layoffs by department, but I think they are looking to consolidate some departments.

Also at the KC Star, make sure you cancel your mandated subscription to the paper ASAP. They refused to stop my delivery once I left. They sent me a bill $16.88, which I refused to pay. So, they're paying a collections agency $100 to get my $16.88. Go figure.

You are off the local PC system and Corp Employee Info system access the day you leave (and in some cases the morning of your last day) so you can't go back in the get last paystub, any additional paystubs, or print out benefit details. Get those you can or might need ahead of time.

Take HR email and phone contacts (for that matter the same work and home information for all your coworking friends you want to keep touch with) for local and Corporate. You have to ask for your last paystub at our paper.

March 7, 2009 6:49 AM: I am former McClatchy reporter who had to adapt. I remember clearly how editorial staff talked, and if anyone had a differing viewpoint he kept it to himself. Once you're out, it'll look different. You can insult me here, if it makes you feel better, but I no longer have to listen to preachiness from Bee people.

Has anyone heard what is going to happen at the The Wichita Eagle? They have had 3 rounds since the initial "seperation offer" in June/July '08. I worked there for 1 month shy of 25 years and don't see how much thinner they can cut and still get the paper out.

And 6:27, I'd rather starve than work for someone who has a photo of a past president (Dem or GOP) hanging on his wall.

Hi: I'm the same way. I come from an age or background when editorial staff were supposed to divest themselves of political leanings. Obviously, that's why I'm an ex-McClatchy employee onto a new career.

Yes 12:04, you could only put something in your file while still an active employee. Although they won't show anything to prospective other employers after you leave so don't worry about that. They are too paranoid about getting sued.

Protect yourself. As someone who was told by management that my job was secure just three days before it was eliminated, trust your instincts. Get copies of your files, contact info, etc. out the door now because at some point you will be locked out.

And just because some guy who can hit "edit all" on his computer says something is or isn't going to happen doesn't mean that's the way it will be. Some decisions he won't be in charge of.

I don't have any real ill will toward my former employer except that I thought we would all play nice. Someone changed the rules while I wasn't watching. Next time I will not be as trusting and look out for myself. Sad but true.

Log onto your state's workforce website the LAST day of your employment. You can't file before the last day. Then call the workforce phone number to confirm that your registration is complete and correct. It will take alot of trying to get through on the phone but just keep dialing until you get in and make sure you talk to someone -- not just the automated system.Also--try to get the name and phone extension of the person you speak with so you can call back with any questions you might have later.

I was ecstatic to hear about the COBRA subsidy in the stimulus plan until...it applies only to those laid off since September. I was laid off last July, still don't have a job (but happy to be gone!) and having to pay those outrageous COBRA rates. Thankfully unemployment covers the premiums, until THAT runs out.

McClatchy Stock Performance

Shop at Amazon

Finalist - Best Up And Coming Blog

McClatchy Watch is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.